Carton and handle structure therefor



Nov. 27, 1962 N. J. GlOlA 3,065,876

CARTON AND HANDLE STRUCTURE THEREFOR Filed April 7, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet1 w/f L5; 35

ATTORNEY N- J. GIOIA CARTON AND HANDLE STRUCTURE THEREFOR Nqv. 27, 19622 sheec's sheet 2 Filed April 7, 1961 IN NTOR 5) ,4 T TOE/YE Y UnitedStates Patent ()fiice 3,065,876 Patented Nov. 27., 1962 3,065,876 CARTGNAND HANDLE STRUCTURE THEREFOR Nicola J. Gioia, Richmond, Vancouver,British Coiumbia, Canada, assignor to Morris Belkin, Richmond,Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Filed Apr. 7, 1961, Ser. No. 101,3939 Claims. (Cl. 220-105) This invention relates to a beverage carton anda handle structure therefor.

It is substantially essential that cartons for bottled beverages-provideadequate protection for the bottles of beverages contained thereinthroughout the period of handling and transportation thereof for whichthe carton is provided. Obviously, consistent with such protection, itis highly desirable that the carton be (a) of low a cost as possible,(12) capable of convenient and rapid erection for reception of thebeverage containers and (c) subject to easy handling in the hands of thepurchaser of the beverages.

It is an object of this invention to provide a carton for beveragecontainers which is of reduced cost while provicling adequate protectionfor the containers, and which incorporates therein a handle structurehaving a cooperative relationship to such protection.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawing, in which FIGURE 1 is a plan View of a carton forming blank inaccordance with the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a sectional side elevation of a carton in accordance withthe invention, showing one position of a handle member therein,

FIGURE 3 is a sectional side elevation of the carton showing anotherposition of the handle member,

FIGURE 4 is a section on line 4-4 of FIGURE 2, and

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the carton in partially collapsedposition.

Referring to FIGURE 1, 1 is a one-piece blank of paperboard, cardboard,or the like. The blank comprises a pair of rectangular side Wall panels2 in laterally aligned spaced relation: Each panel 2 has score linesdefining a bottom edge 3, a top edge 4 and end edges 5. The edges 3 and4 are in laterally aligned parallel relation. Each pair of edges 5 arein longitudinally aligned relation. Each panel 2 has a closure flap 6connected thereto along the top edge 4.

The panels 2 are joined by a bottom panel 7 connecting the edges 3thereof and having a longitudinal medial fold line 8.

An end wall panel portion 9 is connected to each end of each panel 2along the end edge 5. Each panel portion 9 has a score line defining atop edge 10, a bottom edge 11 and a score line defining an end edge 12in parallel relation to end edge 5 of panel 2. Each panel portion 9- hasa closure flap 13 connected thereto along edge 10. Each of three of thepanel portions 9 has an erecting tab or flap 14 connected thereto alongedge 12.

The other panel portion 9 has an interior partition forming panel 15extending from the edge 12 thereof.

Panel 15 comprises two main sections 16 and 17 of approximatelyequivalent extent as to overall length and width with respect to eachother and to side wall panel 2. Panel section 16 is in longitudinalalignment with the adjacent side Wall panel 2 and panel portions 9.Panel section 17 extends laterally outwardly from section 16 and isconnected thereto along a longitudinal fold line 18.

Each panel section 16 and 17 has a series of transverse walls 19partially severed therefrom. Each Wall 19 is of generally rectangularshape as defined by a cut 21) extending around three sides thereof and ahinge or fold line 21 defining an edge thereof connecting the wallsection 16 and 17, section 16 having an opposed bottom edge 23 andsection 17 has an opposed bottom edge 24. Each wall 19 has a top edge 25spaced from the section top edge 18 and a bottom edge 26 spaced from thesection bottom edge 23 or 24. Thus, section 16 has an imperforate topedge marginal portion 27 and an imperforate bottom edge marginal portion28 extending from end to end of the panel section. Similarly, section 17has an imperforate top edge marginal portion 29 and an imperforatebottomedge marginal portion 30 extending from end to end of the panelsection.

Marginal portion 31 of panel section 17 has a tab 31 projecting from itsfree end edge.

Ahan'dle receiving aperture 32 is provided along the juncture fold line18 of panel sections 16 and 17.

One or both pairs of end wall panel portions 9 is provided With aprojecting shoulder 33 adjacent the bottom edges 11 thereof defining ahook for engaging the cut edge of the bottom panel 7 as shown in FIGS. 2and 3.

A handle member 34, illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, is provided andcomprises a rectangular paperboard or like blank doubled upon itselfalong fold line 35 to provide abutting walls 36 and 37. The abuttingwalls 36 and 37 are cut away at each end thereof adjoining the fold line35 to provide a recessed shoulder 38 at each end of the handle memberwith a central portion 39 projecting outwardly therefrom. A handhole 40is formed in the central projecting portion 39. To conserve material,wall 36 may be of considerably less depth than wall 37, as shown. Thewalls 36 and 37 may be adhesively or otherwise secured together.

The carton is assembled by folding panel section 17 into overlyingabutting relation with panel section 16 and positioning the handlemember 34 therebetween with the central portion 39'thereof disposed inthe aperture 32.

The partition forming panel 15 with the handle member 34 incorporatedtherein is noW folded over the adjacent side wall panel 2 and the otherpanel 2 folded thereover with each pair of end wall panel portions 9brought into end wall forming position by placing the portions of eachpair in edge to edge planar relation. The opposed tabs' 14 of one pairof portions 9 are adhesively secured together and the tab 14 of one ofthe other pair of portions 9 adhesively secured to the opposed edgeportion of panel 15 to fix one end of panel 15 in position. The otherend of panel 15 is fixed in position by adhesively securing the tab 31to the first pair of tabs 14.

Transverse walls 19 are swung outwardly about their hinge lines 21 andtheir tabs 22 folded to place their side surfaces in abutting relationto the adjacent side wall panel 2 to which they are adhesively secured.It will be observed that each wall 19 has a major imperfo rate portionextending from edges 18m 24 thereof.

Referring to FIGURE 5, it will be observed that the carton may be placedin fully collapsed condition, the fold line 8 of the bottom wallpermitting such Wall to be doubled upon" itself to permit the collapsingthereof. It will be observed that the bottom wall 7 is of one-pieceimperforate form.

The carton is readily erected from collapsed condition by applyingpressure to the ends thereof. It is locked in erected position bysnapping the edge portion of the bottom wall over one or both pairs ofthe mating shoulders 33 as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3.

The handle member 34 is slidable between the panel sections 16 and 17 ina direction perpendicular to the bottom wall 7. In the retractedposition: of the handle member its upper edge defined by the fold line35 is substantially aligned with the top edge 18 of the panel 15 andapproximately in the plane of top edges 4, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 4.In this retracted position the wall 37 of the handle member occludes asubstantial portion of the openings 41 formed in the body orlongitudinal portion of the panel 15 by the severing of the transversewalls 19 therefrom. Thus, when bottles are placed in the carton, thehandle wall 37 constitutes a longitudinally extending protectivepartition between the two rows of bottles. This protective partitionremains in place during the packing of the carton and the handling anddistribution of the filled carton. The closure flaps 6 and 13 are, ofcourse, folded into closure forming relation and pasted in place whenthe carton is filled.

The purchaser of the carton of beverages inserts his fingers through themeeting edges of the closure flaps 6 to grasp the handle member and tofacilitate this action depressable tab portions 42 may be formed in theflaps 6. On grasping the handle member, it may be withdrawn to place theportion 39 outwardly of the closure flaps, as shown in FIGURE 3, and thehand may be applied through the handhole 40 to carry the carton. It willbe apparent that, in the carrying position of the handle member, theshoulders 38 thereof are in engagement with the inner surface of theedge fold 18.

The carton described may be formed of a minimum of material since theuse of a panel member for closing the openings formed in thelongitudinal partition by severing of the transverse partition wallstherefrom is avoided and use is made of the associated handle structurefor this purpose.

I claim:

1. A carton for bottled beverages comprising a pair of side wall panels,a unitary bottom wall panel integrally joining said side wall panels, atop wall panel integrally joined to each of said side wall panels, anend wall panel portion connected to each end of each said side wallpanel and having a top-edge, bottom-edge, and side-edge, each said pairof end wall panel portions being secured together in side-edge toside-edge relation to form a twopart end wall of said carton, apartition-forming panel integral with one of said end wall panelportions and connected to the meeting edges of the other of said pairsof end wall panel portions and extending longitudinally of said cartonbetween said side wall panels, said partition-forming panel havingoverlying abutting sections, each said section having a series oftransverse partition walls partially severed therefrom, each saidpartition wall having a tab adhesively secured to one of said side Wallpanels and being swingable outwardly from said section, each saidsection having openings therein formed by swinging of said partitionwalls therefrom, and a handle member slidably disposed between saidpanel sections, said handle member having a retracted position and awithdrawn position, said handle member having a depending wall closing asubstantial portion of said openings in said retracted position thereof.

2. A one-piece carton-forming blank comprising a pair of rectangularside wall panels in laterally spaced relation, each said panel havingscore lines defining top, bottom and end edges thereof, a top wall paneljoined to each of said side wall panels along the top edge thereof, abottom wall panel joining said bottom edges of said side wall panels, anend wall panel portion extending from each of said end edges of saidside wall panels and having a top-edge, a bottom-edge and a side-edge, apartitionforming panel integrally joined to and extending from one ofsaid end wall panel portions, said partition-forming panel having alongitudinally extending score line dividing it into a pair of sections,said sections being substantially coextensive in length and width witheach other and with each of said side wall panels, each said sectionhaving a series of transverse partition walls partially severedtherefrom, each said partition wall having a top edge, a bottom edge, aside edge, a fold line connecting it to said partition-forming panel,and an erecting tab projecting from said side edge of each saidpartition wall, and each of said remaining end Wall panels having anerecting flap integral with the side edge thereof for fixing saidpartition-forming panel sections in an erected carton.

3. A one-piece carton-forming blank as defined in claim 2, the majorportion of each said transverse partition wall between the top andbottom edges thereof being imperforate.

4. A one-piece carton-forming blank as defined in claim 2, said tabsbeing in spaced, disconnected relation with respect to each other.

5. A carton for bottled beverages comprising a pair of side Wall panels,a unitary bottom wall panel integrally joining said side wall panels, atop wall panel integrally joined to each of said side wall panels, anend wall panel portion connected to each end of each said side wallpanel and having a top-edge, bottom-edge and side-edge, each pair of endwall panel portions being secured together in side-edge to side-edgerelation to form a two-part end wall of said carton, a partition-formingpanel integral with one of said end wall panel portions along aside-edge thereof and extending longitudinally of said cartonintermediate said side wall panels, said partition-forming panel havingoverlying abutting sections, the remaining side wall panels each havingan erecting fiap adhesively secured to said sections to fix saidpartition forming panel in place intermediate said side wall panels andfix said end Wall panel portions together in side-edge to side-edgerelationship, each said section having a series of transverse partitionwalls partially servered therefrom, each said partition wall having atab adhesively secured to one of said side wall panels and beingswingable outwardly from said section, each said section having openingstherein formed by swinging of said partition walls therefrom, meansdefining hooks on said end wall panel erecting flaps and on saidpartition-forming panel engaging and supporting said bottom wall panel,and a handle member slidably disposed between said panel sections, saidhandle member having a retracted position and a withdrawn position, saidhandle member having a depending wall closing a substantial portion ofsaid openings in said retracted position thereof.

6. A one-piece carton-forming blank comprising a pair of rectangularside wall panels in laterally spaced relation, each said panel havingscore lines defining top, bottom and end edges thereof, a top wall paneljoined to each of said side wall panels along the top-edge thereof, abottom Wall panel joining said bottom-edges of said side wall panels, anend wall panel portion extending from each of said end-edges of saidside wall panels and having a top-edge, a bottom-edge, and a side-edge,a partition-forming panel integrally joined to and extending from one ofsaid end wall panel portions, said partition-forming panel having alongitudinally extending score line dividing it into a pair of sections,said sections being substantially coextensive in length and width witheach other and with each of said side Wall panels, each said sectionhaving a series of transverse partition walls partially severedtherefrom, each said partition wall having a topedge, a bottom-edge, aside-edge, a fold line connecting it to said partition-forming panel,and an erecting tab projecting from said side-edge of each saidpartition Wall, each of said remaining end wall panels having anerecting flap integral with the side-edge thereof for fixing saidpartition-forming panel sections in an erected carton, and meansdefining a hook on each said end wall panel erecting flap and on saidpartition-forming panel engaging and supporting said bottom wall panel.

7. A one-piece paperboard blank for forming a multiple celled cartonhaving top, bottom, side and end Wall panels and interior partitionpanels defining a plurality of compartments in said carton, said blankcomprising a pair of spaced rectangular side wall panels integrallyextensive with and integrally joined" to each said side wall panel alonga score line parallel to said bottom panel score lines, said top closurepanels having a longitudinal cut edge extending parallel to said scorelines and transverse cut' edgestat eachend thereof, said top panelsbeing of a width substantially equal tov one half the width of thebottom panel an end panel coextensive with-and integrally joined to.said side wall panels along a\ transverse score line at each endthereof, said end panels having a width substantially equal to thewidthof said top closure panels, each end panel having'a-top sealing flapintegrally joined thereto along a longitudinal score line at the edgethereof immediately underlying said top closure panels in the completedcarton, the opposite longitudinal edge of said end flaps defining a cutedge, one of said end panels having integrally joined thereto along atransverse score line a first longitudinally extending partition panel,a second partition panel integrally joined to said first partition panelalong a score line constituting an extension of the score line betweenthe side wall panel to which said one end panel is joined and thecorresponding top closure panel, said partition panels each havingdimensions substantially equal to the dimensions of said side wallpanels, said partition panels being adapted to be folded along saidinterrupted score line back against each other to define in the completecarton a double longitudinal partition wall extending parallel to saidside wall panels and between said end wall panels and said top andbottom panels, each of said panels having a series of transversepartition wall panels defined and partially severed therefrom, each saidtransverse partition wall panel having cut top, bot

tom and side edges, a score line connecting each said transversepartition panel to said partition panel, each said transverse partitionwall panel having an erecting tab integrally joined to the side-edgethereof along a score line, each of the remaining end panels having anerecting flap integrally joined thereto along a transverse score line,and each of said erecting flaps and said first partition panel having aprojecting shoulder adjacent the bottomedge thereof defining a hook,said blank being foldable into an erected carton wherein said partitionpanels are folded against each other and extend between folded end wallsof the carton to which they are secured by means of said erecting flaps,the transverse partition wall panels are each secured by means of saiderecting tabs to the adjacent carton side wall panel, and the cut edgesof said bottom panels are engaged in said hooks whereby a stable cartonis formed in which all of said panels are mutually supported.

8. A one-piece paperboard blank for forming a multiple celled cartonhaving top, bottom, side and end wall panels and interior partitionpanels defining a plurality of compartments in said carton, said blankcomprising a generally L-shaped arrangement of panels including a pairof spaced rectangular side wall panels integrally joined to a bottompanel along parallel score lines and constituting substantially one legof said L-shaped arrangement, a top closure panel coextensive with andintegrally joined to each said side wall panel along a score lineparallel to said bottom panel score lines, an end panel coextensive withand integrally joined-to said side wall panels along a transverse scoreline at each end thereof, said end panels having a Width substantiallyequal to onehalf the width of said bottom panel, each end panel having atop sealing flap integrally joined thereto along a longitudinal scoreline at the edge thereof immediately underlying said top closure panelsin the completed carton, the opposite longitudinal edge of said endflaps defining a cut edge, one of said end panels having integrallyjoined thereto along a transverse score line a first longi- 6 tudinallyextending partion panel, a scond partition panel integral-1y joinedtosaid first partition panel. along a score line constituting anextension of the score line between the side wall panel to which saidone end panel is joined and the corresponding top closure panel, saidpartition panels each having dimensions substantially equal to thedimensions of said side wall panels and constituting substantially theother leg of said L-shaped arrangement, said partition panels beingadapted to be folded along said interrupted score line back against eachother to define in the complete carton a double longitudinal partitionwall extending parallel to said side wall panels and between said endWall panels and-said top and bottompanels, each of said panels'having aseries of transverse partition wall panels defined and partially severedtherefrom, each said transverse partition wall panel having cut top,bottom and side edges, a score line connecting each said transversepartition panel to said partition panel, each said transverse partitionWall panel having an erecting tab integrally joined to the side edgethereof along a score line, each of the remaining end panels having anerecting flap integrally joined thereto along a transverse score line,and each of said erecting flaps and said first partition panel having aprojecting shoulder adjacent the bottom edge thereof defining a hook,said blank being foldable into an erected 'carton wherein said partitionpanels are folded against each other and extend between folded end wallsof the carton to which they are secured by means of said erecting flaps,the transverse partition wall panels are each secured by means of saiderecting tabs to the adjacent carton side wall panel, and each end ofsaid bottom panel is engaged by said hooks whereby a stable carton isformed in which all of said panels are mutually supported.

9. A one-piece paperboard blank for forming a multiple celled cartonhaving top, bottom, side end wall panels and interior partition panelsdefining a plurality of compartments in said carton, said blankcomprising a pair of spaced rectangular side wall panels integrallyjoined to a bottom panel along parallel score lines, said bottom panelhaving a longitudinal score line intermediate and parallel to said sidewall score line, said bottom panel being coextensive in length with saidside wall panels and having cut end edges, a top closure panelcoextensive with and integrally joined to each said side wall panelalong a score line parallel to said bottom panel score lines, said topclosure panels having a longitudinal cut edge extending parallel to saidscore lines and transverse cut edges at each end thereof, said toppanels being of a width substantially equal to one-half the width of thebottom panel, an end panel coextensive with and integrally joined tosaid side wall panels along a transverse score line at each thereof,said end panels having a width substantially equal to the width of saidtop closure panels, each end panel having a top sealing flap integrallyjoined thereto along a longitudinal score line at the edge thereofimmediately underlying said top closure panels in the com pleted carton,the opposite longitudinal edge of said end flaps defining a cut edge,one of said end panels having integrally joined thereto along atransverse score line a first longitudinally extending partition panel,a second partition panel integrally joined to said first partition panelalong a score line constituting an extension of the score line betweenthe side wall panel to which said one end panel is joined and thecorresponding top closure panel, said partition panels each havingdimensions substantially equal to the dimensions of said side wallpanels, a cut edge on each of said partition panels defining together anoblong opening interrupting said score line joining said partitionpanels, for receiving a handle in the completed carton, said partitionpanels being adapted to be folded along said interrupted score line backagainst each other to define in the complete carton a doublelongitudinal partition wall extending parallel to said side wall panelsand between said end wall panels and said top and bottom panels andbetween which said handle is posi tioned, each of said panels having aseries of transverse partition wall panels defined and partially severedtherefrom, each said transverse partition wall panel having cut top,bottom and side edges, a score line connecting each said transversepartition panel to said partition panel, each said transverse partitionwall panel having an erecting tab integrally joined to the side edgethereof along a score line, each of the remaining end panels having anerecting fiap integrally joined thereto along a transverse score line,and each of said erecting flaps and said first partition panel having aprojecting shoulder adjacent the bottom edge thereof defining a hook,said blank being foldable into an erected carton wherein said partitionpanels are folded against each other and extend between folded end wallsof the carton to which they are secured by means of said erecting flaps,the transverse partition 3 wall panels are each secured by means of saiderecting tabs to the adjacent carton side wall panel, and the cut edgesof said bottom panel are engaged in said hooks whereby a stable cartonis formed in which all of said panels are mutually supported.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,609,137 Toensmeier Sept. 2, 1952 2,634,043 Arneson Apr. 7, 19532,919,050 Arneson Dec. 29, 1959 2,943,763 Richardson July 5, 1960.

FOREIGN PATENTS 858,214 Great Britain Jan. 11, 1961

